GROUP SYNERGY IN PROBLEM

SOLVING
By:
Kenny Ann Grace C. Batiancila
 What is Group Synergy?
Human synergy relates to human interaction and teamwork.
For example, say person A alone is too short to reach an
apple on a tree and person B is too short as well. Once
person B sits on the shoulders of person A, they are tall
enough to reach the apple. In this example, the product of
their synergy would be one apple.
 What is Group Synergy?
Group Synergy may be defined as two or more things
functioning together to produce a result not independently
obtainable. If the term group synergy is used in a business
application, group synergy means that teamwork will
produce an overall better result than if each person within
the group were working toward the same goal individually
(Kapoor,2012).
 Group Problem Solving
• The problem-solving process involves thoughts,
discussions, actions, and decisions that occur from the
first consideration of a problematic situation to the goal.
The problems that groups face are varied, but some
common problems include budgeting funds, raising funds,
planning events, addressing customer or citizen
complaints, creating or adapting products or services to fit
needs, supporting members, and raising awareness
about issues or causes.
• Problems of all sorts have three common
components:Katherine Adams and Gloria G.
Galanes, Communicating in Groups: Applications and
Skills, 7th ed. (Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2009), 220–21.
• An undesirable situation. When conditions are
desirable, there isn’t a problem.
• A desired situation. Even though it may only be a vague
idea, there is a drive to better the undesirable situation.
The vague idea may develop into a more precise goal
that can be achieved, although solutions are not yet
generated.
• Obstacles between undesirable and desirable
situation. 
These are things that stand in the way between the
current situation and the group’s goal of addressing it. This
component of a problem requires the most work, and it is
the part where decision making occurs
• Five common and important characteristics to consider
are task difficulty, number of possible solutions,
group member interest in problem, group member
familiarity with problem, and the need for solution
acceptance. Katherine Adams and Gloria G.
Galanes, Communicating in Groups: Applications and
Skills, 7th ed. (Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2009), 222–23.
• Task difficulty. Difficult tasks are also typically more
complex. Groups should be prepared to spend time
researching and discussing a difficult and complex task in
order to develop a shared foundational knowledge. This
typically requires individual work outside of the group and
frequent group meetings to share information.

• Number of possible solutions. There are usually

multiple ways to solve a problem or complete a task, but
some problems have more potential solutions than others.
• Group member interest in problem. When group
members are interested in the problem, they will be more
engaged with the problem-solving process and invested
in finding a quality solution. Groups with high interest in
and knowledge about the problem may want more
freedom to develop and implement solutions, while
groups with low interest may prefer a leader who provides
structure and direction.
• Group familiarity with problem. Some groups
encounter a problem regularly, while other problems are
more unique or unexpected. When group members aren’t
familiar with a problem, they will need to do background
research on what similar groups have done and may also
need to bring in outside experts.

• Need for solution acceptance. In this step, groups must

consider how many people the decision will affect and
how much “buy-in” from others the group needs in order
for their solution to be successfully implemented.
Advantages and disadvantages of using
a group to solve a problem:
The disadvantages of group problem solving can
include: 
Most people working in a group
unconsciously perceive the
Competition situation as competitive. This
generates behaviour which is
destructive and drains the
creative energy of the group. For
example, we often perceive
disagreement with our ideas as
a put-down.
Conformity
There is a strong tendency for
individuals in a group to want to
conform to the consensus. This
can be for a variety of reasons,
including the need to feel liked,
valued or respected, and tends to
make people censor their ideas
accordingly. The comparative
status of the individuals present
also has an important influence.
Lack of objective direction

Most traditional meetings and group

discussions convened to solve problems are
ineffectively directed. Sometimes there is no
effective leader to give direction to the
discussion, with the result that it wanders
aimlessly. Even when there is strong leadership,
the group leader or chairman often exerts undue
pressure on the direction and content of the
discussion. In addition, the ideas aired during a
meeting are not usually recorded, apart from the
minutes and individual note-taking, with the result
that many ideas are forgotten and cannot act as
a constant stimulus to the discussion.
Time constraints
Group problem solving is a
relatively slow process compared
with working alone. It requires
individuals to come together at an
agreed time, usually for about one
hour, and this can cause
organisational problems as well as
impatience amongst participants to
'get it over with' as quickly as
possible.
The advantages of group problem solving
Greater output
Simply because of the
number of people involved, each
with differing experience,
knowledge, points of view and
values, a larger number and
variety of ideas for solving a
problem can be produced.    
Cross fertilisation
The exchange of ideas can act
as a stimulus to the imagination,
encouraging individuals to
explore ideas they would not
otherwise consider.
Reduced bias
The shared responsibility of a
group in arriving at decisions can.
encourage individuals to explore
seemingly unrealistic ideas and to
challenge accepted ways of doing
things. Individual biases and
prejudices can be challenged by
the ,group, forcing the individual to
recognise them. Group pressure can
also encourage individuals to accept
that change is needed.
Increased risk taking
Shared responsibility makes
individuals more willing to take risks.
The discussion of different points of
view also helps the group to be
more realistic in assessing the risks
associated with particular courses of
action.
Higher commitment
• When goals are agreed it gives a
common purpose to the group,
within which individuals can gain a
feeling of self-determination and
recognition through their contri­
bution. Individuals who have
contributed to finding a solution feel
a greater commitment to its
successful implementation.
• Improved communication
When .people who are affected by
a problem or who will be involved in
implementation are involved in
finding a solution, they will know
how and why that particular solution
was chosen. Also, people with
knowledge relevant to the problem
can communicate that knowledge
directly if they participate in solving
the problem.
• Better solutions
Groups of individuals can
bring a broad range of ideas,
knowledge and skills to bear on
a problem. This creates a
stimulating interaction of diverse
ideas which results in a wider
range and better quality of
solutions.
Thank you!!